Meta

Google Glass Finds New Life in the Workplace

Just four years ago it seemed that Google Glass, the Internet search and advertising giant’s foray into the new frontier of smart eye-wear, would never grow beyond the limited open beta, where the product was met with both privacy concerns and disappointment over its somewhat limited range of features. However, after a careful period of retooling and testing, Google has recently relaunched the product with the Google Glass Enterprise Edition, this time focusing on more practical, business-oriented applications for the device.

The updated model, while similar in design to the original, boasts a number of improvements, including superior wifi functionality and security, extended battery life, superior processing power, and a more powerful eight megapixel camera. Most important to the product’s newfound success, however, is its modular design. The device’s new design allows it to be attached to the wearer’s base eye-wear, meaning the Enterprise Edition can be used in conjunction with safety or reading glasses, making it suitable for a number of industrial applications.

The vastly improved device has found a home in a number of industries. Jay Kothari, the project lead for the Enterprise Edition, cited “manufacturing, logistics, field services, and healthcare” as just a few of the earliest adopters for the cutting edge tech. Kothari and his team spent two years redesigning Google Glass, moving the eye-wear away from its consumer roots into a product focused on meeting industry demands.

This new version allows, for example, a manufacturing floor worker to quickly access data regarding other points along the assembly line without abandoning his station. This sort of hands-free access to data is a remarkable boon for industries heavily dependent upon quick access to information in a multitasking environment. Volkswagen, Boeing Company, and DHL are just a few of the companies who have already successfully integrated Google Glass into their day-to-day operations. While the project may have strayed from its consumer roots, the adoption of Google Glass by these businesses offers a bright and interesting future for smart eye-wear technology.